Buccos Cove

As we await the start of the 2020 MLB season due to Corona Virus concerns, we will take a look at every player on the Pirates roster and outline what they will bring to the table and projections for the 2020 season. I hope this brings some positive reading to the current situation and helps us all as we wait for baseball. The 2019 season was one that Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Keone Kela wants to put behind him for several reasons. It started with Kela spending time on the injured list with a right elbow injury, and ended with a number of fines and suspensions from tensions both inside and outside of the clubhouse that resulted in Kela missing nearly three months of the season. However, 2020 is a new year and a new opportunity for Kela to get back on the right track. With the departure of Felipe Vazquez, Kela will be stepping up as the full-time closer for the Pirates. It is not new territory for the 26-year old and it will allow him to be the leader of the bullpen...

The Pirates offense jumped on the Tigers early in split squad action but it wasn't enough as they fell 8-4. Many of the regulars played well on offense showing promise for the upcoming week. After dropping their Grapefruit League Opener on Saturday, The Pittsburgh Pirates split it up on Saturday when they took on the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park. Many of the regulars were in the starting lineup and they performed well on the offensive side. After the Tigers scored the first run of the game, JT Riddle drew a leadoff walk and Gregory Polanco followed suit one batter later to put runners at first and third with one out. Will Craig would hit a sacrifice fly tying the game at 1-1. The Tigers would answer with a run in the top of the second and the Pirates offense would go to work again. Socrates Brito started the second inning with a leadoff double and O'Neil Cruz would drive him in with a double of his own off the left field wall that tied the game at 2-2. Charlie Tilso...